Hello from Pacific Northwest!

I just picked up my '79 KZ400 LTD (VIN "H") on Friday (Jan 8th). Really clean bike, just needs a chain (rusted from sitting and improper care). 8,416 original miles, still has the break-in sticker attached to the tachometer. Has everything but exhaust baffles (meh) and the snorkel.

My bike is among the thousands of others that do not have the air box snorkel (part#: 11012-1086). Shame! Bike runs great, now that I did a bench sync, but still bogs and hesitates from lack of air restriction. It already sounds mean as-is, can't wait to hear with proper power!

I printed out the exploded air box diagram and will see if any metal shops around town might be able to fab up an aluminum one (would NOT break if installed improperly) if I brought a filter and the airbox in for reference. It shouldn't cost any more than a $100, IMO, but would be well worth it, because WHEN you can find the OEM snorkels, they usually run around $80 anyways. And it should be fairly easy to make it's basically just a rectangle with holes!!

Too bad I can't ride right now (still waiting for the snow to clear up). Ride on!

EDIT: Pic won't insert, must be a bad link. Really nice bike, will get a picture when I get home.

Welcome aboard, go to the about the site thread & there's a post on how to post pics.
you can also put a post in the Wanted section about an air box for your bike, many people are cafeing their 400s & 440s & you can probably get one cheap
Pete

Welcome, would like to see your pics.
Steve

Welcome YamaKawa,

Not sure this will help, but here is a link in from the filebase under the KZ440 section to make your own box. Not sure if the two bikes are compatible in this regard. Some KZ400/KZ440 gurus can chime in and confirm if they are.

kzrider.com/filebase/download/53-kz440-c...0-air-filter-holder1

KZJOE900 wrote: Welcome YamaKawa,

Not sure this will help, but here is a link in from the filebase under the KZ440 section to make your own box. Not sure if the two bikes are compatible in this regard. Some KZ400/KZ440 gurus can chime in and confirm if they are.

My understanding is that the 1979 KZ400 LTD (my bike) used the same air box as the KZ440, but the others (B models, for example) used the older KZ400 air box..

Here is a pic

Here is a video (ignore my comment about pod filters, if I can find the snorkel, I will gladly stay stock!). NOTE: I do have both the side panels (mine condition), and the seat as well (which has been reupholstered)

I would not have an aversion to going to a members home to help them out if they wanted help but most members wont post the city or the area they live in.

Welcome from East Tennessee!
Ed

Barry2 wrote: I would not have an aversion to going to a members home to help them out if they wanted help but most members wont post the city or the area they live in.

BAHAHA you actually live about 20 miles from me! I'm over in Spokane!

Went for a ride on Wednesday (to get some gas)! I completely forgot that this bike is 100% illegal to ride right now........

I currently only have a motorcycle instruction permit which is, uh....er...well, expired! I plan on taking the "drive test" before returning to riding (probably looking mid-Feb, maybe March for the test). I completely butchered the fact that the bike does not have a license plate. And I'm not entirely sure the exhaust is quite legal in terms of decibels being produced. HAHAHA *BRAAAAP* OH! And I removed the factory mirror (which it is illegal in WA to ride without mirros), because I hate those styles of mirrors WITH A FIERY PASSION!!! My Yamaha has mirrors exactly like those and they tick me off to say the least.

Rode quite nice actually. Shifted a little rough at first, but after a very minor clutch cable adjustment, the bike was flawless aside the front end wobble being caused by the front tire being at less than ideal air pressure.


I also would like to switch to low profile turn signals, cuz I hate the big bulky chrome ones (which my Yamaha also has, and I want to rid of those ones too!); don't worry, I plan on keeping all the original parts in a box, should I decide to ever sell the bike for whatever reason.